The BackTracker History Show

10 Episodes
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By: The Backtracker

Based in the UK, this self confessed history geek takes you for a stroll down memory lane and shares stories and interesting nuggets of information that has been discovered along the way. From tales of tragedy and sadness to epic stories of human courage or creativity, there are many people in history who have made their mark, however small. If you enjoyed the show, don't forget to share or leave feedback. It all helps! Keep in touch via either Twitter or Facebook by using @BackTrackerUK

Samuel Plimsoll: The Sailor's Friend
#12
Last Monday at 6:00 AM

Samuel Plimsoll: The Sailor's Friend

Season: 5 Episode: 12

Samuel Plimsoll was a British politician and social reformer who lived from 1824 to 1898. He is primarily remembered for his efforts to improve the safety of seafaring vessels and the conditions of sailors during the 19th century.

CAST

Samuel Plimsoll - Molly Jefferies

Vanity Fair Article - Sam Roberts

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England. 

If you liked it please leave a rating and maybe a co...


The Murdering Cousin
#11
03/18/2024

The Murdering Cousin

Season: 5 Episode: 11

Cyril Victor Tennyson Saunders a former lance corporal in the Royal Engineers and he had been in a relationship with his cousin, Dorothy May Saunders, nicknamed Bubbles, for two years and they had plans to marry.

After a pregnancy scare and the death of her father, Dorothy changed her mind about marriage. Cyril was devastated and vowed to get her to reconsider, with dire consequences.

CAST

Dorothy May Saunders - Rose Hayles

Cyril Saunders - Molly Jefferies

Police Report - S...


R.N.L.I: Celebrating 200 Years
#10
03/11/2024

R.N.L.I: Celebrating 200 Years

Season: 5 Episode: 10

In Part Two of our celebration of this national institution, we take a look at some of the biggest rescues they have been a part in, the SS Suevic in 1907 and the S.S Rohilla in 1914. We also take a look at the latest statistics released as well as talk to current volunteers from the Portishead Lifeboat station.

CAST

'Little Ships of Dunkirk' - Joe Wilson

Captain Thomas Jones - Steve Sheperd


THIS PODCAST

T...


200th Anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution
#9
03/04/2024

200th Anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Season: 5 Episode: 9

In total, across the UK and Ireland, 146,452 lives have been saved by the RNLI – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years. 

Founded in a London tavern on 4 March 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks, the RNLI has continued saving lives at sea throughout the tests of its history, including tragic disasters, funding challenges and two World Wars.  

The charity has a strong presence in the...


The Babbacombe Murder Mystery (Part Two)
#8
02/26/2024

The Babbacombe Murder Mystery (Part Two)

Season: 5 Episode: 8

Saturday, the 15th February 1884 saw the fateful murder of 68 year old, Emma Anne Whitehead Keyse at The Glen in Babbacombe in Devon. All the evidence pointed to just one suspect, 21 year old John Henry George Lee, the Butler and general handyman.

Listen to the account of his trial and discover what made this particular crime stand out in history and inspire an album bu Fairport Convention

CAST

John Lee - Steve Yeo

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette & The Scotsman- C...


The Babbacombe Murder Mystery (Part One)
#7
02/19/2024

The Babbacombe Murder Mystery (Part One)

Season: 5 Episode: 7

Emma Anne Whitehead Keyse was a single lady of 68 years old. She was born in Edmonton, London, in 1816. She lived at The Glen with four helpers. One of them was John Lee, who did various jobs. Elizabeth Harris was the cook, and she had asked Emma to give her half-brother, John Lee, a job a few months before. The other helpers were Jane and Eliza Neck, who were sisters and had worked for Emma for over 40 years.

Saturday, the 15th February 1884 would be a day t...


Valentine's Day Special
#6
02/12/2024

Valentine's Day Special

Season: 5 Episode: 6

Valentine's Day is steeped in history, but what exactly do you know about it? In this special episode, we take a look at this unusual holiday and an even closer look at the Valentine card, commonly used to express love and affection. Did you know that there used to be an alternate though?

CAST

Duke of Orleans - Steve Sheperd

Ophelia - Sam Roberts

Lines - Joe Wilson

Catherine Mossday - Andrea Reid

Vinegar Valentine - Rose Hayles


Reginald Burt: A Soldier's Regret
#5
02/05/2024

Reginald Burt: A Soldier's Regret

Season: 5 Episode: 5

Whilst he was away serving in the army, Reginald Burt’s wife, Lily, was having a baby by another man. He did everything to save his marriage, offering to adopt the baby, but in the end, something snapped.

CAST

Reginald John Frederick Burt - Joe Wilson

Mr Justice Morris (Judge) - Steve Sheperd

Mr Norman Skelton (Defence) - David Haile

Inspector Drinnon - Steve Yeo

Mr Morris (Prosecution) - Tony Allen

THIS PODCAST

T...


The Amazing Victoria Drummond (Part Two)
#4
01/22/2024

The Amazing Victoria Drummond (Part Two)

Season: 5 Episode: 4

Victoria Drummond was the first female marine engineer in the UK and the first British woman to serve as chief engineer with the Merchant Navy, but all this was earned through sheer determination and a driving force to spend her life doing what she loved, regardless of the perceived boundaries. In this episode, we look at how she won her M.B.E for bravery and the latter part of her inspirational life.

CAST

Victoria Drummond - Rose Hayles

THIS PODCAST


The Amazing Victoria Drummond (Part One)
#3
01/15/2024

The Amazing Victoria Drummond (Part One)

Season: 5 Episode: 3

Drummond was the first woman to qualify as a marine engineer and she managed to have a successful career at sea despite encountering prejudice and discrimination. In this episode, we look at her early life and the difficulties she had trying to start her chosen career in marine engineering.

CAST

Victoria Drummond - Rose Hayles

Mr. C. Booth - Steve Sheperd

Crew - Steve Yeo

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a B...